NEWS RELEASE: No One Left Behind Secures Flights and Freedom for 500+ Afghan SIV Holders Stranded Abroad, Expands Resettlement Programs

** UPDATE: AS OF JULY 2, 2025, NO ONE LEFT BEHIND HAS SECURED 2,180 FLIGHTS.

The nation’s oldest nonprofit dedicated to supporting Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders launches emergency evacuations and resettlement programs amid new restrictions.

ARLINGTON, V.A., Mar 13, 2025 – No One Left Behind (NOLB) has successfully secured flights and safe passage for more than 500 Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders stranded in limbo due to recent policy changes. Between February 1 and March 13, 2025, No One Left Behind booked flights for 534 allies from multiple locations worldwide, ensuring their resettlement in the United States.

“No One Left Behind remains unwavering in its mission to uphold America’s promise to its Afghan and Iraqi wartime allies,” said Andrew Sullivan, Executive Director of No One Left Behind. “For over 11 years, across multiple administrations, we have fought tirelessly to evacuate, resettle, and advocate for those who risked their lives alongside U.S. troops. When we heard that our Afghan allies were left stranded, we took immediate action to secure their safety and futures.”

“ I made a promise to myself that I will not stop fighting for my friends who are still left behind,” said Janis Shinwari, founder of No One Left Behind. “The No One Left Behind team is here to raise the voices of those who are still left behind. We will never forget those who fought with us,  and we will keep fighting as long as we can to bring everyone to safety.” 

ALBANIA EVACUATION: A CRITICAL MILESTONE

Following the implementation of the January 20, 2025 Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, flights for SIV holders were abruptly halted, leaving allies in limbo despite their legal authorization to enter the United States.

Hundreds of Afghan allies who had been moved to Albania for their visa processing found themselves trapped in uncertainty when flights were suspended. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, No One Left Behind swiftly mobilized resources to ensure that every Afghan SIV holder awaiting transport was provided a flight. On February 19, 2025, No One Left Behind representatives traveled to Albania to personally oversee the evacuation of allies left on the platform. 

By March 3, 2025, No One Left Behind had purchased and booked flights for all remaining 206 SIV holders, effectively clearing the platform, at zero cost to the SIV holders. 

This evacuation marks a critical milestone in No One Left Behind’s broader mission to keep the promise to those who stood shoulder to shoulder with our troops and ensure that every SIV holder is given the opportunity to begin a new chapter in safety and dignity.

ONGOING EVACUATION EFFORTS

Beyond Albania, No One Left Behind continues its vital evacuation operations in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Doha, Qatar. As of March 13, 2025, the organization has purchased flights for 534 SIV holders, ensuring their safe relocation to the United States.

All flights arranged by No One Left Behind are completely free for Afghan and Iraqi SIV holders, with no repayment required. This is made possible entirely by the generosity of private American donors and foundations, whose contributions fund our mission to support SIV families.

EXPANDING RESETTLEMENT & SUPPORT SERVICES 

In response to the impact of Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, which effectively paused federal Reception & Placement (R&P) funding, No One Left Behind has significantly expanded its resettlement initiatives to bridge the gap and provide essential support to Afghan allies as they begin their new lives in the U.S. Key initiatives include:

• Establishing NOLB R&P Pop Ups in Sacramento, CA, and Northern Virginia to assist new arrivals. 

• Expanding case management services to provide individualized assistance for newly arrived SIV holders.

• Strengthening partnerships with resettlement organizations and mobilizing private sponsorship programs to enhance support networks and community. Across the country, partner organizations have mobilized to provide emergency reception and resettlement support for new arrivals, including:

  • Keeping Our Promise in Rochester, NY

  • Hearts & Homes for Refugees Pelham NY

  • Afghan Support Network in Beaverton, OR

  • Salem for Refugees in Salem, OR

  • Vermont Afghan Alliance in Burlington, VT

  • Neighbor the Nations in Charlotte, NC

  • The Synagogue | Congregation B’nai Emunah in Tulsa, OK

  • Every Campus A Refuge at the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, OK

Through these initiatives, No One Left Behind is working to ensure that America’s wartime allies receive not just safe passage, but the resources and opportunities necessary to rebuild their lives with dignity and upward mobility.

The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program has worked since 2009 to bring our closest Afghan allies to safety. SIV holders have provided significant faithful and valuable service to the United States and have completed gold standard vetting to demonstrate their continued commitment to American national security. These allies face deadly retribution in Afghanistan and elsewhere because of their service to U.S. troops and diplomats. Veterans, faith communities, and the American public agree that these allies are assets to American security, prosperity, and strength and continue to mobilize to bring them to safety and welcome them throughout their transition to life in the United States. 

ABOUT NO ONE LEFT BEHIND 

No One Left Behind (NOLB) is the oldest charitable organization focused specifically on supporting former interpreters and U.S. government employees eligible for the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs. The veterans-led organization helps evacuate our wartime allies to safety, provides resettlement assistance to help them start new lives as Americans and advocates for legislative change to keep America’s promise. To learn more, become involved or donate, visit nooneleft.org.

MEDIA CONTACT 

Amanda Kim 

amanda@nooneleft.org